Need for Speed Nitro

Need for Speed Nitro is one of the three next installments in the long-running racing video game franchise Need for Speed published by Electronic Arts for the Wii and Nintendo DS platforms. It was announced in January as part of a three-game announcement that includes Need for Speed Shift and Need for Speed World Online. It is being developed by EA Montreal for their previous experience with Nintendo titles, although the DS version is being developed separately by Firebrand Game's Florida studio. In the new franchising model for the series adopted by EA, Nitro takes its place aiming at casual gamers rather than the hardcore fans of the series and is also Nintendo exclusive. As previous titles in the Need for Speed series, Nitro features a large catalog of customizable licensed vehicles, as well as cops. It is distinguished by fast, unrealistic arcade racing with vibrant visuals, akin to the also upcoming Blur racing game. EA marketing manager Keith Munro states that Nitro is unlike anything else in the Need for Speed series so far. The game will feature icons in the race that have different effects. Some of these include car repairs or increasing your opponents heat level. EA now tries to target a wider audience going casual instead of their usual hardcore.

The game ultimately received mixed reception, but was praised by IGN and the Official Nintendo Magazine.

Gameplay

Drifting in Nitro.

The gameplay is arcade style. It will feature cops, that will obstruct the player's progress in a race. Races will have up to 12 racers, and feature different modes, such as sprints, circuits, knockout, etc. In a race, when you are in front the buildings will be painted in your paint sheme of your choice. So far this as no major gameplay effects. A trailer was released on the Need for Speed website depicting four cartoon-like vehicles that are actually disproportionate real-life vehicles. The cars were a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, a Nissan Skyline, an Audi R8, and a Lamborghini Reventon. The trailer also displayed the buildings in different vibrant colors and several disproportionate police vehicles. An interesting fact to note is that the police cars had the Spanish and Portuguese word for police, Policia, written on the side.

The game has an aesthetic feature titled "Own It", while a player is in the lead, the surrounding landscape will be modeled after their car's colors, graffiti and tags.